New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-10
VOTTH IN Old AGE


"The Spectator considers that good work
on the best way of growing old is greatly
wanted. 1t regrets that 50 little Of the best
literature is written for the benefit of old
people. and that men in advanced years are so
unwilling to Admit that much of their former
work is beyond their powers and that it is their
duty TO stop where they are and let younger
men succeed them If the old would undccciyc
themselves, it goes on TO say. and discern their
limitations, they would die younger in feeling,
since there is IAN immense deal OF youth IN
age, if people would only study how to keep
1t and not oycrbudcn it with a sort of strain
for which the physical organization has be
come unfit" This is a beautiful sentiment ;
bnt practically is there any better way of re-
tanning the elastic feeling of youth than that
Of remaining ut ones post where the throb and
puSation Of all the activities OF manhood are
kccnly felt I Men can keep young rs well as
grow old in the labors Of their careers. Nor
is it by any means certain that n new book on
the art Of growing old is needed for these mol
crn times. Cicero wrote a celebrated treatise
on that subject which is Is comprehensive and
practical in It's lessons to-day as it was nine
teen hundred years ago.
Much Of the hest work Of the day is done by
the oldest workers with youthful energy and
hopefulncSs. Mr. Gladstone is seventy seven
but where is there in England public man of
brighter hopcfulncss and larger faith His
old age is cycrburlcncd with labors but his
youthful spirit feels no sense Of strain. He
works on in Parliament and in his library with
unccaSing ardor aud courage and inspires the
youngest Liberal in the party ranks with a
feeling of confidence and security in the ulu-
mate triumph Of. the Home Rule cause. In
Paris there is President Grcyy at seycnty-SiX,
welding in Il transition period the wcghty re-
sponsihilitics II his great Office. and Yet hope
ful and even gay in manner aS he surveys the
barren field of French politics and forecasts
beneficial changes in tho social tendencies OF
republican institutions Prince Bismarck ut
seventy one has entered the RcchStag n
auntly ~ he did twenty years ago, and en-
joycd his political triumph rs kccnly rs any Of
his earlier Parliamentary battles. lie stops in
the Chamber beside Won Motkc's scat-thc
soldier is cighty-six-and the two veterans
laugh heartily at each others jokes and he
hind them both is al Emperor who is ninety
this very month. and yet with all the anXictics
of State has contrivrd to keep youthful heart
Old age that preserves the hopcfulne>s OF
youth and early manhood is IN mfailing source
Of inspiration for IA workaday world. 1t keeps
its youth, rs Mr. Bcecher kept his by standing
in its own place and doing its part with I'M
abatcd force and energy Tho Plymouth preach
or was never more closely employed than in the
last fortnight OF his life. Sermons, addresses,
lectures, books-a thousand forms OF profcs-
sonal and literary activity were crowding fast
upon his prooccupicd mind and he was happy
in the prospect of making this the busiest year
Of his well-won life. II he had been in re-
tircment at Pcckskill he would not have been
az fresh as genial and as hopeful as he was in
Brooklyn-thc centre OF his activities. 1t is
work, after all. that keeps man young and
beats back jadcd old age.